Young winners of conservation contests were reminded last Thursday night that they will never stop learning.

County Manager Cary McSwain was addressing winners of the 2010 poster, essay and public speaking contests sponsored by the Moore Soil and Water Conservation District. More than 110 winners, their families and conservation supporters gathered in the Agriculture Center auditorium to honor the student winners.

"Education is cradle to grave," McSwain said. "Every day we live, we learn something."

McSwain poured the wisdom and philosophy of such cultural and erudite icons as Albert Einstein, Charles Schultz and Bill Gates into his comments to encourage the students to pursue their interests in preserving the environment and in contributing to their community.

He also expressed appreciation to their families and teachers for encouraging the youngsters to think for themselves and to become good citizens.

Madi King, first-place winner of the sixth-grade essay contest, read her essay to the audience. She attends New Century Middle School.

"The Living Soil" was the theme this year and was reflected in the essays and posters entered in the 2010 contests. Jeanette Fuller, of the conservation district staff, announced that there were 240 entries in the poster contest and 34 in the essay contest. The 2011 theme will be "Water - Cycle of Life."

Nowell Brown, chairman of the Moore Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, and Albert Troutman, vice chairman, presented awards to the winners. In addition to a ribboned medal, patterned after Olympic medals, the winners received certificates, chocolate bars and gift cards to Walmart.

The winners were:

Third-grade poster contest - first place, Nicholas Heinaur; second, Parker Corwin; third, Donna Blanchard; and honorable mention, Noah Herrera, all of Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School.

Fourth-grade poster contest - first place, Kayla Matthews, Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School.

Fifth-grade poster contest - first place, Lilly Rakes; second, Cooper Wrona; third, Julianne Hall; honorable mention, Celeste Palmquist and Austin Cockman, all of Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School.

Sixth-grade poster contest - first place, Kailee Eckert-Prater, West Pine Middle School; second, Ethan Stepnoski, New Century Middle School; third, Hanna Duncan, New Century Middle School; honorable mention, Jordan Gray, West Pine and Kailee Southworth, New Century.

Sixth-grade essay contest - first place, Madi King, New Century Middle School; second, Michaela McKinley, West Pine Middle School; third, Ben Williams, New Century Middle School; honorable mention, Bailey Marona, New Century.

Eighth-grade public speaking - first place, Nikita Chintalapudi, Sovereign Pines Christian Academy Home School, who was unable to attend the awards program. Nikita was last year's first-place winner and went on to take first place honors at both the district and state levels.

After the awards were presented, door prizes were distributed by Penny Priest and Fuller, of the district staff. Sponsors included Cagle Road Pottery, Piney Wood Pottery, Fireshadow Pottery, Gold's Gym, Smith Pottery and Christy's Hair Creations.

Brown welcomed everyone, and Troutman gave the invocation. Jonathan Russell, of the district staff, introduced the speaker.

Contest judges were Jane Dobson, Jean Brady, Kim Hyre, Penny Priest, Cindy Brady and Connie Marion.

The winning posters were displayed for the enjoyment of guests prior to the dinner.

Jordan's Catering served the meal featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken with all the trimmings designed to please youthful tastes.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at (910) 693-2479 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.